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Symphony No. 4 (Beethoven)

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Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 in B Flat Major, Op. 60, was written in 1806.

Background

The work was dedicated to Count Franz von Oppersdorff, a relative of Beethoven's patron, Prince Lichnowsky. The Count met Beethoven when he traveled to Lichnowsky's summer home where Beethoven was staying. Von Oppersdorff listened to Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 in D Major, and liked it so much that he offered a great amount of money for Beethoven to compose a new symphony for him. The dedication was made to "the Silesian nobleman Count Franz von Oppersdorf".

Instrumentation

The symphony is scored for flute, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B flat, 2 bassoons, 2 horns in B flat and E flat, 2 trumpets in B flat and E flat, timpani and strings.

Form

There are four movements:

  1. Adagio -- Allegro vivace
  2. Adagio
  3. Allegro molto e vivace -- Trio. Un poco meno allegro
  4. Allegro ma non troppo

The work takes about 33 minutes to perform.

Reception

Although all nine of Beethoven's symphonies are widely performed, the Fourth is less often performed than some of the others. Robert Schumann described Symphony No. 4 as a "slender Greek maiden between two Norse gods", referring to the 3rd and 5th Symphonies, both with towering reputations.

Performance

The sound files are from a performance by the Skidmore College Orchestra.

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1st movement: Allegro vivace Performed by the Skidmore College Orchestra. Music courtesy of Musopen
Problems playing this file? See media help.

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2nd movement: Adagio Performed by the Skidmore College Orchestra. Music courtesy of Musopen
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Template:Sample box end

Template:Sample box start variation 2

3rd movement: Allegro molto e vivace Performed by the Skidmore College Orchestra. Music courtesy of Musopen
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Template:Sample box end

Template:Sample box start variation 2

4th movement:Allegro ma non troppo Performed by the Skidmore College Orchestra. Music courtesy of Musopen
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Template:Sample box end

Notes

  1. Paul Netl (1976) Beethoven Handbook. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., p. 262

External links

Links to related articles
Ludwig van Beethoven
List of compositions
Life A small marble bust of Beethoven by Hugo Hagen, with a black background
Music
Memorials
Depictions
Family
Related
Symphonies by Ludwig van Beethoven
Early symphonies
Middle symphonies
Late symphonies

Hypothetical: No. 10 in E♭ major

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